Wood you buy this modified 1940's Delta 880 bandsaw, given the modifications? Is this vintage with a riser block have much flex?

[Ross100]

Hi I signed up here, because I saw this thread: Delta 4 Step Pulley Size/Speed/Cat.No. Charts, so it seemed like there were some folks knowledgeable here on the 1940's Delta 880's. Great forum!

 

Looking at a 1940's 880 wood/metal bandsaw with riser block, details below.

 

A few questions for those knowledgable with these:

1. Would you buy this modified version as a 'can only have one' bandsaw for both metal and wood?

2. On this vintage of an 880, do the riser blocks tend to make the saw more twisty/flexy, as described with more modern editions? Would be nice to be able to resaw, but don't have any projects calling for it today.

3. Any creative options for restoring the metal cutting function, which might allow me to keep the faster motor (that seems like an expensive replacement item)? It seems most bandsaws for wood run around 3000 SFPM, and original motor has this one running at 2200 SFPM, so I'm not clear if that's an issue? I hear they later went to a 6" pulley on the saw (versus the 8" it has), and maybe that is an option, provided belts are available and the OEM 4-sheave pulleys can be used.

4. If you are good at it, how quickly can blades be changed on this saw?

 

Thanks for the guidance!

 

Background:

I'm looking to buy a bandsaw that can be used both for metal and wood, and ran across a Delta 880 wood/metal bandsaw with a riser block that has been restored (repainted, new tires | trunnions | metal blade guards, newer 15A/120V Marathon Electric motor) for $350. However, the catch is that it has been modified with a new 3450 RPM 15A/125v Motor, which raises the SFPM on wood cutting to around 3200 RPM from the stock 2200 RPM. During the process, the middle 4-sheave pulley was removed and replaced with a single-sheave pulley around 2". The motor pulley also was replaced with a 2" single-sheave pulley. When engaged, the gearbox appears to run without any unhealthy noises. It's a 2 hour drive from me to pick it up.

 

 

 

 

[lew]

@Larry Buskirk

[Larry Buskirk]

1947 on the model year.

To use the 3450-rpm motor would require halving the motor pulley to retain the same speeds as using the 1725-rpm motor using the stock sized pullies.

Here's a link to a 1946 manual for the saw.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=481

[Ross100]

3 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

1947 on the model year.

To use the 3450-rpm motor would require halving the motor pulley to retain the same speeds as using the 1725-rpm motor using the stock sized pullies.

Here's a link to a 1946 manual for the saw.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=481

 

Thanks, Larry. I had found another delta doc there, but not that one. Appreciate it.

 

I guess my concern with the 3 pullies and changing ratios is belt length lining up for the 2 different measurements.

 

In your observation, does the smaller 2" pulley on the motor, or reducing the size of the gear box pulleys tend to lead to issues with the belt slipping?

[Grandpadave52]

Welcome to The Patriot Woodworker @Ross100. Glad you found us and found helpful information. @Larry Buskirk is definitely our resident old 'arn Delta guru. Looking forward to your on-going participation with us and especially knowing more about your current project.

[Larry Buskirk]

Personally, I would replace the 3450-rpm motor with a 1725-rpm motor and return the saw to the original 718, & 720 cone pullies for the metal cutting speeds. 

You could up the wood cutting speed by using the 6-inch pulley in place of the 8" but you would have to measure for the belt length.

 If you intend to use the 3450-rpm motor you could use a countershaft with a 2:1 ratio driving the 718 pulley.

 

 

[Ross100]

7 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Personally, I would replace the 3450-rpm motor with a 1725-rpm motor and return the saw to the original 718, & 720 cone pullies for the metal cutting speeds. 

You could up the wood cutting speed by using the 6-inch pulley in place of the 8" but you would have to measure for the belt length.

 If you intend to use the 3450-rpm motor you could use a countershaft with a 2:1 ratio driving the 718 pulley.

 

 

 

Thanks, Larry. I picked it up tonight. Such an odd situation in that he probably spent more on the saw and restoration than I paid for it ($325), and never made a cut with it (a bit of a shocker to me). Very detailed retired guy... a whole notebook of information and receipts, and great care taken with the restore. We shall see how it goes, and I can run it as-is for the meantime and keep an eye out for someone wanting to part with a 1725-rpm motor. I'll also check out the countershaft option.

 

In your experience, is a 15A/7.5A 120/240 motor appropriate with the riser block, or should I be looking for something a little lower current?

 

 

 

 

[Larry Buskirk]

Quite a few of these machines were set up with a 1/4 HP RI motor back in the day. My 768 came that way.

If you do replace the motor try finding one with a 1/2" shaft. The 718 pulley is much cheaper to find in that size.

I've seen the 3/4" versions go for as much as $100.00

Edited November 11, 2024 by Larry Buskirk

[Grandpadave52]

8 hours ago, Ross100 said:

I picked it up tonight. Such an odd situation in that he probably spent more on the saw and restoration than I paid for it ($325), and never made a cut with it (a bit of a shocker to me). Very detailed retired guy... a whole notebook of information and receipts, and great care taken with the restore.

So you know the rules here Ross...pictures or it didn't happen.

BTW, nice score. Love it when a new tool joins the family.

[Ross100]

6 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

So you know the rules here Ross...pictures or it didn't happen.

BTW, nice score. Love it when a new tool joins the family.

 

Ok, ok. Here's the evidence... haven't gotten it off the trailer yet

 

[Grandpadave52]

Holy cow!! Get it off the trailer before it tarnishes. You did GOOD; REAL GOOD!

 

That's better than new!